3 weeks ago
Michigan Says Lettuce Safe Again as Cyclospora Cases Decline
Many people in Michigan got sick this summer from a tiny germ called cyclospora.
The germ was hiding in lettuce that came from farms in Mexico.
Some people ate it at Taco Bell restaurants.
The germ gave people stomach problems like watery diarrhea, feeling sick, and being very tired.
Health experts told everyone to stop eating bagged salads for a while so the germ would not spread.
Stores took the bad lettuce off the shelves in many states.
Sadly, two people died, and hundreds of people needed hospital care.
Now the number of people getting sick is going down.
Michigan's health department says it is safe to eat lettuce again, but people should still avoid the recalled lettuce.
Most people are getting better, and the germ does not spread from person to person.
Michigan's health department says lettuce and bagged salad mixes are safe to eat again as cyclospora infections decline.
The state, epicenter of the multistate outbreak, has recorded 12,485 cases, 279 hospitalizations, and two deaths since June.
Officials linked the initial cluster to iceberg lettuce from central Mexican farms served at Taco Bell locations.
Taylor Farms issued a recall covering 27 states, including Walmart bagged salad mixes and Sysco ingredients, after criticism over its slow response.
The CDC and FDA have tied infections in 15 states to the lettuce, with symptoms that can appear within 14 days and last up to two months.
- Who
- Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services, which issued the safety update, and Michigan residents and other Americans affected by the outbreak.
- What
- Officials declared lettuce safe to consume again as cyclosporiasis case reports slow, following a recall of contaminated iceberg lettuce.
- Where
- Michigan, the epicenter of a multistate U.S. outbreak; the lettuce originated from central Mexican farms and was served at Taco Bell.
- When
- Thursday, August 6, 2026; the outbreak has been tracked since June 2026.
- Why
- Because new case reports are slowing and diarrhea-related emergency department visits are trending downward after the recall.
Reassurance
Caution
Safety of leafy greens
Reassurance
Michigan's health department says the downward trend in new cases and emergency department visits means lettuce is safe to eat again and residents can resume normal food handling practices.
Caution
The outbreak caused 12,485 cases, 279 hospitalizations and two deaths in Michigan alone, and consumers have been frightened away from produce amid confusing information about what is safe.
Taylor Farms' recall response
Reassurance
Taylor Farms ultimately issued a recall notice for consumers across 27 states covering bagged salad mixes and food service ingredients.
Caution
The supplier was criticized for slow-walking its response after being notified by federal regulators, leaving consumers without timely warning.
Key facts
- New guidance
- Lettuce and bagged salad mixes are safe to consume in Michigan
- Confirmed cases (Michigan)
- 12,485 cyclosporiasis cases since June 2026
- Hospitalizations and deaths
- 279 hospitalizations and 2 deaths as of August 6; both deaths had underlying health conditions
- Source
- Iceberg lettuce from central Mexican farms, served at Taco Bell
- Taylor Farms recall
- Four Walmart bagged salad mixes and Sysco ingredients recalled across 27 states
- CDC/FDA-linked states
- Infections in 15 states tied to iceberg lettuce
- Symptoms
- Watery diarrhea, nausea and fatigue; appear in up to 14 days, last up to 2 months
- Related outbreak
- Chipotle and Qdoba pulled jalapeno peppers from stores over rising salmonella infections in 27 states
Quotes
Michigan State Health Department
Official spokesperson for Michigan's state health department
“After reporting 12,485 cases of cyclosporiasis in Michigan since June 2026, the data now suggest that new cyclosporiasis case reports are slowing, including a downward trend in diarrhea-related emergency department visits.”
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